Say goodbye to chapped lips: top winter lip care tips

Dry lips in winter are incredibly uncomfortable: they flake, split, and peel. Preventing these effects sometimes feels like an uphill battle the deeper we get into the season, as the conditions get harsher. This is when a few swipes of your fave lip balm just won't cut it.

Why is winter so tough on lips

Spoiler alert: wind and chill aren't the only things cracking your pout. Whether it's the cold air outside or the dry heat when you crank up the radiator, winter is a perfect storm for drying out lips.

Cold weather and dry air. Cold air doesn't hold as much moisture as warm air, so our lips can't stay hydrated when there's hardly any humidity to draw from. And you know what happens when you instinctively lick your lips for relief—they become even drier and start to sting. Before you know it, your mouth is tight and irritated.

Indoor heating and its drying effects. Cranking up the heat keeps you cozy, sure, but it does your lips no favors. When your radiator or HVAC kicks on, the dry indoor heat gradually sucks the moisture out of the air, leaving your skin—and lips—drier.

Why lips need extra care during winter. When your commute feels like trekking through the Arctic, chapped lips quickly lead to painful splitting that takes a while to heal. Going the extra mile to care for them helps protect them from unavoidable factors that suck all the moisture from the air.

Winter lip care must-haves

Certain products provide instant relief from dryness, and others can keep them feeling soft and moist for hours. Lip balms and salves, lip exfoliators and peels, as well as lip masks and patches worn to bed are all game-changers in the world of lip care.

Hydrating lip balms to lock in moisture. Lip balms and treatments are always top of mind when it comes to winter lip care. But the trick is finding ones that don't just sit on top of your lips. A quality lip care product acts as a protective barrier, locking in moisture. Choose formulas enriched with nourishing oils, butters, or vitamins to keep lips soft, smooth, and hydrated.

Gentle lip scrubs to smooth and prep. Underrated yet effective, lip scrubs for dry lips used one to three times per week brush away scaly buildup that makes it difficult to thoroughly re-hydrate the lip skin barrier. Plus, gentle exfoliation creates the perfect canvas for lip stains and lipsticks. A good tip? Skip the exfoliation step of your routine if your lips are already cracked. In the meantime, focus on maxing out on hydration until they're healed.

Overnight lip masks for deep hydration. If you live in an especially chilly climate, you know that around-the-clock lip care is a game-changer. Just like you can "slug" your face by applying a thick cream, you can do the same with your lips, by applying a thick layer of lip mask before bedtime.

The best ingredients for winter lip care

Hydrating lip products that actually work are chock-full of restorative ingredients. When choosing a lip product, it can be helpful to take a look at the ingredients list of a product to choose the one that's right for you.

Shea butter and coconut oil. These two ingredients are often found in some of the best lip care for winter for their soothing, moisturizing, and protective properties. Shea butter and coconut oil are both contain vitamin E, a powerhouse antioxidant.

Hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a hydration hero and has a unique ability to increase moisture content. For best results, apply it to damp lips—right after washing your face—to lock in extra hydration.

Beeswax. This all-natural ingredient is a great protective barrier. Lip balms for winter or lip oils made with beeswax form a breathable, moisturizing layer.

Lip care mistakes you might be making

It's not just about what skin care products you use—but also about how you apply them. A few small tweaks in daily habits can make a big difference overall.

Skipping exfoliation when it's needed most. When your lips are dry, exfoliating might seem counterintuitive, but it's actually a super helpful step. By scrubbing away the peeling layer of skin on top, you have a fresh canvas to apply lip balms, oils or masks.

Using products that dry out your lips. Not all lip care products are created equal. Camphor, menthol, alcohol, and mineral oil are just a few ingredients found in some formulations that are known to strip away moisture.

Ignoring sun protection on cloudy days. Just like the skin on the rest of your face, lips are also sensitive to the sun. An SPF-packed lip balm shields them against harmful UV rays—even when it's an overcast day.

Your winter lip care routine made simple

The perfect pout has its own multi-step routine. From the time you wake up to the moment you hit the sheets, how you care for your lips can make them feel more comfortable.

Morning: start with hydration and SPF. Not only does winter air leave lips chapped, but even your daily routine—like brushing your teeth—can add to the dryness. A good lip balm with SPF 30 or higher preps them for the rest of your routine and protects them from the winter sun all in one go.

Midday: reapply and refresh. Let's face it: Your lips are bound to dry out as you're eating and talking throughout the day. Keeping multiples of your go-to lip balms in your car and in your bag can be key.

Nighttime: repair and restore. Using a gentle lip scrub, applying an overnight lip mask, then running your humidifier is a trifecta for deep nourishment.

Winter lip care tips go beyond choosing the best lip balm at your favorite beauty counter. Regular exfoliation and moisturizing lip products formulated with nourishing ingredients are all a part of ensuring your lips lock in hydration and protect against chapping.